Although Frank Zappa is known for his acerbic comments about jazz, it’s interesting to
note that when he made his very first excursion into a legitimate recording studio, the
result was a piece of bona-fide jazz. And, at only 3’51”, it’s a little gem. This is the
original, instrumental version of a song that later appeared on the album We’re Only In
It For The Money: here it appears as a sprightly bossa nova, a year before Stan Getz
made the form popular. Zappa assembled a group of musicians who were unknown at
this time, but, nevertheless, they acquit themselves well. Trumpeter Chuck Foster
makes a clean, arresting statement which reveals the influences of Clifford Brown and
Kenny Dorham, while altoist Tony Rodriquenz is excitingly reminiscent of Cannonball
Adderley and Phil Woods. Danny Helferin’s piano style is somewhat like that of Jack
Wilson, his West Coast contemporary, and Frank Zappa’s rhythm playing is perfect
for the music, which fits right in with other jazz that was happening on the West Coast
in the early 1960s: funky, soulful music played by people like Les McCann, Curtis Amy
and the Jazz Crusaders. This track plays a significant but little-recognized part in
Zappa’s oeuvre, and points the way to later jazz influences in his work.